Who Is A True Christian?

It appears that Jane has had a strong belief in God, but she

seems to have a more wholesome and wholehearted belief

than some other characters in the novel. In the beginning of

the novel young Jane is painfully rejected by her aunt, as

well as her son and daughter.She is unable to alter the daily

pattern of abuse and neglect. This makes it obvious that she

did not live as a member of a truly Christian family, but she

was mature enough to develop her own beliefs through

daily prayers and biblical readings.

Further in the story, she meets Mr. Brocklehurst for the

first time and interviews Jane about sin, hell and the Bible.

At one point in the conversation he asks her if she knows

any psalms, she replies that "Psalms are not interesting

(Bronte,490). This proves to Mr. Brocklehurst that she has

a wicked heart, and must pray to God to change it and give

her a new and clean one. Why must Mr. Brocklehurst be

so harsh with such a young child? Would a truely Christian

man ever be so quick to condemn someone he doesn’t

know anything about?

Eventually Jane moves to Lowood Institution, an old,

drafty, dreary place. It is there that Jane comes to realize

that although Mr. Brocklehurst was able to put on a good

show at Gateshead Hall about his religious beliefs, he is

lacking in basic human necessities. The meals that were

served were meager portions; during some occasions it

was burned. Her knowledge of the shortcomings at

Lowood were supported when she over heard the teachers

whisper "Abominable stuff! How Shameful!"(Bronte,499).

This situation along with the dreadfully cold sleeping

quarters show that Mr. Brocklehurst although

knowledgeable in biblical psalms and parables had no

concern with the conditions these children lived in. Also,

when Jane accidentally breaks her slate he punishes her by

making her stand on a high stool as punishment. From this

point onward in the novel, it is clear that Mr. Brocklehurst

symbolizes hypocrisy and insensitivity.

In particular, Mr. Brocklehurst was complaining about

holes in stockings and expounding the virtues of a good

Christian, he is interrupted by his fashionably dressed wife

and two daughters. Their ostrich plumes, beaver hats and

false French curls contrast with the cold, underdressed

children huddling over a fire to keep warm. Obviously most

of the donated money is used to spoil his family, and not

being used for what it was given for. Is this the behavior of

a true Christian? Jane doesn’t not think so, but she is smart

enough to disregard things she can not change and is able

to find a few role models that influence her development.